Saturday, November 12, 2011

U.S. National Under-17 Team Topples Switzerland, 10-5, in 2011 Under-17 Four Nations Tournament

Press Release

BALASHIKHA, Russia - Connor Chatham (Belleville, Ill.) and Tyler Motte (St. Clair, Mich.) netted two goals each, as the U.S. National Under-17 Team toppled Switzerland, 10-5, in the second round-robin game of the 2011 Under-17 Four Nations Tournament here today at Arena Balashikha.


"Today we learned that our team can't let up in a tournament with this caliber of talent," said Don Granato, head coach of the U.S. National Under-17 Team. "We are happy to come out with the win and look forward to play for our first championship on the international stage tomorrow."


J.T. Compher (Northbrook, Ill.) opened the scoring for the U.S. 25 seconds into the first period, but Switzerland knotted the game up at 2:09. The U.S. then reeled off four consecutive goals to take a 5-1 lead. Will Butcher (Sun Prairie, Wis.) started the goal parade on the power play and was followed by another marker with the man advantage by Keaton Thompson (Devils Lake, N.D.). Tyler Kelleher (Longmeadow, Mass.) and Anthony Louis (Winfield, Ill.) added goals four and five for the U.S. before time expired in the first period.


Chatham notched the first of his back-to-back goals at 3:32 of the second stanza. Evan Allen (Sterling Heights, Mich.) and Michael McCarron (Macomb, Mich.) collected assists on the play. At 7:02, Chatham wired the puck into the net again, putting the U.S. up, 7-1. The Swiss scored at 14:50 to inch closer to Team USA, but Hudson Fasching (Burnsville, Minn.) countered for the U.S. with a goal 12 seconds later. Back-to-back goals by Switzerland cut the U.S. lead in half, 8-4, at the end of the second period.


The Swiss notched its third consecutive goal at 2:59 of the final frame. But Team USA halted the attack, as Motte netted two goals to send the U.S. away victorious, 10-5. Curtis Frye (Northwood, N.H.) started the game for Team USA and made 11 saves. Hunter Miska (North Branch, Minn.) stopped seven shots afer he replaced Frye in the third period.


The U.S. National Under-17 Team will conclude tournament play against host country Russia on Sunday (Nov. 13) at 9:30 a.m. EST. Team USA defeated the Russians, 6-2, in exhibition play on Wednesday (Nov. 9).

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

No comments: